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In the Affirmative Periodicals

7-15-1999

In the Affirmative, Vol.6, No.7 (Mid-July/ Mid-September 1999)

Mick Martin

The AIDS Project

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Recommended Citation Martin, Mick and The AIDS Project, "In the Affirmative, Vol.6, No.7 (Mid-July/ Mid-September 1999)" (1999). In the Affirmative. 22. https://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/affirmative/22

This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Periodicals at USM Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in In the Affirmative by an authorized administrator of USM Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ,,fr/ ". '" j Mid-July· to Mid-September volume VI number VII

IN THE.AFFIRMATIVE a newsletter for M .aine's HIV/AIDS community

PROJECT

PROJECT

IN THIS ISSUE PROJECT

Page One PROJECT Cover Story: FTC Warning on Home HIV Test Kits. The FTC Warns PROJECT Page Two Against Son1e PROJECT By The Way, editor Mike Martin's column: "A Summer's Assumptions." Hon1e HIV Test Kits Page Three Washington Post (06/19/99) HIV Reporting in Maine. HIV Vaccine News. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has issued a warning Page Four about some home HIV tests sold over the Internet. Maine's AIDS Hotline. In a consumer alert, the agency cautioned, "Using one of these kits could give a person who might be infected with HIV the false Page Five impression that he or she is not infected." FTC tests showed that, HIV Treatment News. when a known HIV-infected sample was used, the tests indicated HIV and Women. that the sample was not infected. While Internet advertisements have falsely stated or sug­ Page Six gested that the kits were cleared by various well-known health Just So You Know. groups, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved HIV News. only Home Access Health's Home Access Express home HIV Page Seven test kit and the World Health Organization does not approve or Beware of Viaticals. license HIV tests, the FTC said. AIDS Update. An Alarming HIV Statistic Washington Post (06/22/99) Page Eight Support Groups, Client Services, and Up to 25 percent of the estimated 650,000 to 900,000 HIV-infected individuals in the For Your Information. United States may be unaware oftheir infection.

_____m_The_A_ffl~_a_tive_ ©_J_~-,-9~-"-M_B_a~-M-an_fu_M-sh-~-ro-,~-e-AW_S_Pro_~_ct-~-rtla-nd-,M-E------~-a-g-eOn~ Tho AIDS Project 615 Congress Street - &th Aoor (or 142 High Strffl) P.O. Box 5305 by the way Portland, Maine 04101 Phone, n4-68n Fu, B7!Ml7&1 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.aidsp,oiect.org A Summer's Assumptions AIDS Hotline: nS..1267 or 1-800-851·2'37 York County Office Ufayette Center - 4th Aoor by Mike Martin Kennebunk, ME 04043 Phone: 985-8199 Fax : 985-8646 *51 Disregarding the dangers of assuming too many articles about HIV in each month. I never E-mail: [email protected] Staff: much (since we all know what happens when assume that I know it all, and I assume you don't Doug Bailey, HAVEN I Housing Coordinator we assume), let me highlight some of summer's either. The article about bad home HIV test kits Declan Buckley, MSM Outreach Worker correct and incorrect assumptions. advertised on the internet is something I assume Diana Carrigan, Cumberland County Case Manager If you thought that the number of new you want to spread the news about. As we Janine Collins. Cumberland County Case Manager clients coming to The AIDS Project for case encourage more and more people to be tested, John Cronin, MSM Outreach Worker management services dropped during the we need to make sure they get reliable testing, Sequoia Dance, Street Outreach Worker summer, you would be wrong. New intakes of because I do assume that those of us with HIV Douglas Eaton, Program Coord. of HIV Prevention clients traditionally increase in the summer. are, by this very fact, educators to those around Denise Ferer, York County Case Mngmt. Intern This year is no exception. So, if you thought us. Jill Frame, HAVEN Case Manager HIV takes a vacation in the summer, think On a lighter note, I always think that my George W. Friou, Executive Director agam. lawn mower will break down at least once a Demetra Giatas, Development Director However, if you thought that I would be summer. It did. Last week. It's nice to know that John Green, HIV Case Manager taking a vacation from doing this newsletter, some things can be counted on to happen just John Holverson, Director of Prevention and Education you would be correct. I always take the month when you are in the middle of a job. Gloria leach, Community HIV Prevention Educator I want to mention last month's Gay Pride Randy May, of August off from publishing this newsletter. It Director of Support Services Parade in Portland. I assumed that something Rebecca Neel, has something to do with summer and some­ Cum berland and York Counties Case Manager thing to do with my birthday. I'll turn 45 in unpleasant might happen. That someone in the Susan Parr, Cumberland County Case Manager August. I presume you'll understand I need the crowd would yell out some offensive comment, Getty Payson, York County Case Manager break. But the newsletter will be back in that sort of thing. But I didn't hear anything of Steve Reevy, Manager I Finance & Administration September, as always. the sort. The AIDS Project participated in the Daniel Schnorbus, Client Services Coordinator I always think that I won't have enough parade with clients, staff, board members, and David Aaron Swander, Education I Development Assistant news and information for another month's family and friends wearing spiffy-looking TAP Kerry S. Tardiff, Ad ministrative I Case Management Assistant newsletter, but then I always end up with more t-shirts as they marched from Monument Art Waller, than I have room for. You would think I would Square to Deering Oaks. I particularly want to Accounting Assistant Bowd of Directors: presume correctly, given reality. I assume I will mention the good work done by TAP staffers Joel C. Martin, Esq., President Michael Martin, Vice President presume correctly next time. I am particularly David Aaron Swander and Daniel Schnorbus Anne M. Romano, CPA. TrHsurer JoAnne Peterson, Secretary pleased with the article about the Maine AIDS and TAP Board Member Michael Burnham in Lawrence Bliss Michael Burnham Hotline written by Doug Eaton, the Hotline's organizing TAP's participation. And hats off to Jerro ld C. Edelberg, Ph.D. Dino Giamani coordinator. TAP runs the Hotline and the the folks who manned TAP's information table Judi Mansing Karla B. McGowan article by Doug is interesting reading. in Deering Oaks that day. Nice work everybody. Frances W. Peabody Carl Toney I always assume you, our readers, know So I have presumed and assumed your John Wade Verne Weisberg, M.D. that TAP welcomes volunteers. In particular, indulgences long enough. I hope you all have an Roberta M. Wright Advisory Board, you might think about volunteering to work on enjoyable summer and that this fleeting season Bettsanne Holmes, Chair Josiah K. Adams the Hotline. of sun and sea and summer squash rejuvenates Peter C Barnard Joan B. Burns Anyway, when putting together this your spirits and puts a little color into your life. Peter l. Chandler, CPA Madeleine G. Corson newsletter, I always assume that what is news to As the song from the 70's says, "See you in Maria P. Damerel Josiah H. Drummond, Jr. me is news to most of you. That's why I put so September." Alice Gemmer Pamela W. Gleichman Sandra Goolden Celeste Gosselin Sources for some of the Contributors to this issue of Jonathan W. Karol, D.O. Leo J. LaP1ante, CPA information in this In The Affirmative include: Pamela Knowles Lawrason, Esq. Mallory K. Marshall newsletter include: Mary Jean Mork Gwendolyn C. O'Guin, D.O. Demetra Giatas Patricia M . Pinto Lois Galgay Reckitt Portland Press Herald Doug Eaton Victoria A. Rochefort Lynn E. Shaffer USA Today Denise Ferer Elizabeth 0 . Shorr John H. Siegle, M .D. Maine Bureau of Health - HIV/STD Program Randy May Cynthia Sartwell, M.D. Seth Sprague CDC Hotline Community Bulletin Susan Parr James F. Tomney Virginia W. Truesdale CDC National Center for HIV, STD, Margaret Wiles and TB Prevention Kerry Tardiff, Distribution Jean T. Wilkinson Margo Wintersteen Mike Martin, Editor Roger F. Woodman Frances R. Zilkha ~'"'"'""'"' &,Page Two In The Affirmative © July 1999 from Bald Man Publishing for The AIDS Project, Portland, ME HIV in Maine: HIV Vaccine News Breakthrough Offers New Hope for AIDS Change in Reporting Vaccine of HIV Cases Nando Times Online (06/22/99) An international team of researchers has The following is the text ofa memo sent out on June 2 5, 1999 to found a link between HIV and key proteins the "Health Care Providers Involved in HIV-Antibody Testing" (and virus uses to attack cells, and they have others) from the Maine HIV/STD Program. This memo corzfirms the developed a vaccine based on their discovery. HIV requires receptors, including the CD4 new rules for reporting HIV cases in the state and why the rules are receptor and CCR5 proteins, for access into being put into place. The bottom line of the rules change to is better cells. Tests revealed a very close link between track HIV cases in Maine, to get a better handle on the scope of the CCR5 and CD4 but not between other proteins disease as it now exists in the state. and receptors involved in HIV's infection process. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Information provided by AIDS surveillance activities helps to Sciences, notes that previous research identify how HIV is spread, the types of people most at risk for HIV suggests that those with naturally defective transmission, and their regions of residence. This information is CCR5 genes can resist HIV infection. crucial for planning and evaluating effective HIV prevention pro­ grams, understanding patient needs for medical care, and securing fair The Field of Vaccine Candidates American Medical News (06/14/99) and adequate funding for service needs and prevention education. Today, nearly 20 years after the inception of AIDS surveil­ There are about 40 experimental HIV lance, many thousands of people are benefitting from significant vaccines in clinical trials worldwide, although advances in the treatment of HIV disease. People with HIV are living AIDSvax has progressed the farthest. For longer, healthier lives, and fewer individuals are developing AIDS. As fiscal year 1999, the National Institutes of Health is spending $194 million in an effort to a result, AIDS surveillance information is providing increasingly find a viable vaccine. The most common limited insight into an evolving epidemic, and no longer adequately approach to a vaccine involves putting HIV represents those populations most affected. genes into canarypox, where it replicates HIV Because of this trend, many states are now using HIV data to protein, giving the host immunity. A more supplement information provided by AIDS case reports. HIV data is controversial method involves using a whole killed or live-attenuated virus for vaccination. useful because it provides information about the epidemic at an earlier Most vaccines successful against viruses stage than do AIDS case reports. In order to more effectively use have used either whole killed or live­ Maine HIV data, the Maine Bureau of Health will be enhancing its attenuated vaccines; however, HIV enters cell HIV reporting requirements. genes and remains there permanently, Currently, Maine providers are required to report confirmed, complicating matters. Other possible HIV vaccines are using salmonella or the cowpox positive HIV tests with demographic information such as date ofbirth, virus to induce immunity. county of residence, race, gender and HIV risk information. Under the current system, patient name reporting is not required for HIV, but is Scientists Say Too Few Are Volunteering allowed. Beginning July 1, 1999, providers will be required to for AIDS Vaccine report either the name of the patient testing HIV-positive or a Minneapolis Star-Tribune Online (07/01/99) representative patient identifier code (called a Soundex code). In Minnesota, Twin Cities researchers State sponsored anonymous testing sites are exempted from this are having trouble enlisting people for change in reporting rules. (All AIDS diagnoses must continue to be VaxGen's HIV vaccine trials. So far there are reported using patient name.) 130 volunteers but the goal is 300. According Using a patient identifier will help the Bureau of Health to to the researchers, volunteers appear reluctant to sign on, in part, because AIDS improve the quality of its HIV data collecting efforts and avoid dupli­ seems more manageable to many and cate reporting. Further, it will provide a fuller understanding of HIV because of reservations about the vaccine. disease progression by allowing us to link HIV and AIDS case data. VaxGen is having trouble recruiting nationally This vital information will assist us as we plan and implement activi­ as well, having only attained 65 percent of its ties which prevent future transmission and care for those infected. • 5,000-volunteertarget.

In The Affinnative © July 1999 from Bald Man Publishing for The AIDS Project. Portland, ME Article on Maine's AIDS Hotline Featured in National CDC Newsletter

Editor's Note: The following article was published in the Hotline Community Bulletin ofthe CDC in June and was written by TAP's Hotline and Testing Coordinator, Doug Eaton. Well done, Doug!

Spotlight on ... Maine AIDS Hotline by Douglas Eaton

The Maine AIDS Hotline office is located in Portland, the largest city in the state. Established in 1984 and later funded by the CDC with a grant through the Maine Bureau ofHealth, the Maine AIDS Hotline is mandated to provide statewide HIV information and referral services to all populations in Maine. The state of Maine is considered a "rural" state by most accounts, with a total population ofjust over one million people. Nearly one half of the total population lives in the southernmost counties ofYork and Cumberland, which constitutes less than one third ofthe total area ofthe state.

It is interesting to track calls coming from rural areas and compare them to calls received from more urban centers. Callers from urban areas I tend to request referrals for anonymous test sites, ask questions aboout HIV transmission, want clarification about the window period for HIV antibody testing, etc. Call volume from rural areas is less than the volume of calls from urban areas. The character of calls from rural areas often reflects the isolation many people feel living in bucolic areas, especially if they don't "fit in" with the dominant culture.

Rural callers often utilize Hotline workers as a sounding board for stories of frustration and even despair. A caller who live in the northern­ most reaches of Maine calls the Hotline on a monthly basis just to check in with somebody who "can talk his language" (his words). Questions about sexuality, safer sex, and "finding" somebody are the usual topics of conversation with this man. His calls generally last about 30 minutes or more. This is not an atypical call; many male callers who are in their mid to late forties are seeking their first same-sex encounters and haven't the vaguest idea about how to connect with other men.

Many callers who disclose desiring same-gender sexual activity are currently in heterosexual marriages or are recently divorced. Since the population of Maine is so sparse, many people in a community are aware of each other's personal matters. In this environment it may be difficult for some men to own their homosexual feelings. They may find themselves accepting the paradigm of heterosexual marriage complete with children, only to experience a resurgence of their homosexual desire later in life. Hotline workers are encourages to address issues of prevention and risk reduction without judgement about same-gender sexual activity revealed during this type of call. Risk reduction and prevention messages are given from the perspective of the callers having control of their own health. However, if a caller wants to explore their feelings concerning sexuality, the Hotline worker is trained to listen empathetically and provide appropriate referrals to community centers that offer a means for people to connect with each other.

Other callers from the rural reaches of Maine paint a vivid picture that safer sex messages haven't gotten to a large segment of the rural populations of Maine, especially to those in their late 30's and 40's. One caller reported that five of his "buddies" were sitting around drinking beer and watching a porn movie -- "now we're all married you know" -- he hastened, and one thing led to another and they ended up engaging in unprotected oral sex with each other. The combination of substance abuse, homophobia, guilt, denial, and lack of information about safer sex can be life threatening. The training of Hotline workers includes the use of the "reflective listening" tool. Hotline workers reflect back to the caller the risk activity the caller has described using the same terminology or slang and then proceed to engage the caller in appropriate dialogue about condom use or other protection methods. The use of the word "activity" is encouraged rather than "behavior" when discussing risk.

Hotline workers on the Maine AIDS Hotline are certainly learning a lot about the lively rural landscape of their state! It is this writer's opinion after four years of hotline work that the Hotline serves as a lifeline to rural populations. These populations may under-utilize the Hotline, but it is a vital resource to those who have taken the first step in education themselves about HIV. i AIDS Hotline is Seeking Volunteers J Doug Eaton, Hotline Coordinator, is seeking applications from qualified volunteers to fill vacancies on the Hotline. Doug feels that using clients as Hotline workers would enhance the service that the Hotline provides to those wanting information about transmission, safer sex, and referrals to testing sites. Ifyou would like to talk with Doug about this opportunity, give him a call at 775-1267 or 1-800- 851-243 7. Ifyou get the answering machine, please leave a message and Doug will get back to you.

In The Affirmative © July 1999 from Bald Man Publishing for The AIDS Project, Portland, ME HIV Treatment News HIV Treatment News HIV and Women Test Improves Drug Choice for HIV Patients AIDS Patients to Share Treatment Data On Facing Delicate Issues of Life, Love and HIV Reuters (06/24/99) Line Washington Post (06/22/99) USA Today (06/21/99) French researchers have found that The number of female AIDS patients in the genotyping in patients with mutant HIV strains The Treatment Data Project is launching United States has increased significantly in allows doctors to offer patients the most what could develop into the largest private recent years, from 7 percent of all AIDS cases in effective treatments. Doctors selected 108 database of private medical records online. 1985 to 22 percent in 1997, show CDC patients not responding to triple-combination The program aims to have AIDS patients share statistics. Within that group, African-American therapy. Three months after prescribing their experiences in the ever-changing women accounted for the majority (60 percent) medication therapy using genotype testing for treatment arena so benefits and problems of the AIDS cases among women in 1997, and treatment guidelines, 29 percent of the with any therapies could possibly be identified sex is now the primary source of HIV exposure genotype subjects had undetectable viral loads. without waiting for results of clinical trials, for women. Furthermore, CDC data show that Furthermore, after six months of treatment, 32 says the coalition of AIDS activists, computer women in 25 states accounted for 17 percent of I percent had undetectable viral loads, versus 14 experts, and health insurers that is organizing overall AIDS cases but 28 percent of HIV percent in the other group at both three and six the effort. Activist Larry Kramer, who came up infections in the period between January 1994 months. with the concept, explains that "this [ap­ and June 1997. Powerful new AIDS drugs have proach) could work for any illness where helped to reduce AIDS-related mortality; Seminal HIV May Persist Despite Response people take different medications and there however, AIDS is still the primary cause of toHAART isn't a standard of therapy that you know death for African-American men and women. Reuters (06/28/99) works." Under the program, which will start at As patients learn to deal with their infections, two test sites in New York and one in other issues (such as sexual intimacy and A study published in the June issue of California, volunteers will fill out a question­ falling in love) must also be confronted. Clinical Infectious Diseases underscores that naire on subjects ranging from blood test HIV DNA and protease inhibitor-resistant results to how they are feeling; and if all goes Promoting Safer Sex for Women mutations can emerge in the semen of patients well, the data will go online next year on Washington Post (06/22/99) receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy WebMD, an Internet health information (HAART) for HIV. Investigators found that 9 provider. An outline of that data would be In Washington, D.C., a program called percent of HIV-infected men studied had available to patients, researchers, and "Healthy Choices, Healthy Sisters" seeks to detectable cell-associated HIV RNA after one doctors, according to plans now being promote safe sex for women. The peer­ month of HAART and that 5 percent had cell­ finalized with WebMD. education program, from Family and Medical free HIV RNA. In addition, six months after Counseling Service, a local health clinic, HAART was started, indinavir-resistant CMV Resistance to Ganciclovir No More features a l 0-week training program in which mutations were reported in the seminal Likely With Oral Administration trainees go to drug rehabilitation houses and leukocytes of one patient, and a patient who Reuters (06/14/99) other locations to hold safe-sex education had switched to saquinavir displayed protease workshops for women. Issues such as how to inhibitor-resistant strains in seminal and blood In a report in the June issue of the Journal negotiate condom use are discussed at the leukocyte DNA specimens. Investigators warn of Infectious Diseases, researchers conclude meetings. The women also distribute condoms HIV-infected individuals that neither triple that cytomegalovirus does not become on the streets, hoping to stem the spread of HIV. combination therapy, nor undetectable levels of significantly more resistant through the use of HIV load means that one should not avoid orally administered ganciclovir, as opposed to mucosal exposure to HIV-infected semen. intravenously administered ganciclovir. UN Calls for Boosting AIDS Protection for Evidence gathered in four clinical studies of Women F.D.A. Approves Abbott AIDS Drug oral ganciclovir showed that 3.1 percent of Reuters (06/22/99) New York Times (07/01/99) patients treated with IV ganciclovir and 6.5 percent of those treated with oral ganciclovir UNAIDS officials are calling for more 1 Nearly a year after Abbott had to halt the displayed resistant CMV, after 75 IV and 165 aggressive research into anti-HIV microbicidal J sale of the capsule form of Norvir because of oral ganciclovir exposures, respectively. gels for women. The agency said that it has production-related problems, the company said Investigators say CMV resistance to sponsored clinical trials of an anti-HIV it won FDA permission to sell a soft-gelatin ganciclovir does not seem to be a serious microbicide in Benin, Ivory Coast, South Africa, capsule form of the AIDS drug. Since last July, problem, generally, and does not appear to be and Thailand since 1996, with little success Norvir has been available only in liquid form, but exacerbated by oral versus intravenous according to early findings . However, Abbott said the newly approved version would delivery. independent experts reviewing the trial have be available for consumer use soon. The advised continuing the study, which includes capsules can be kept at room temperature for about 2,000 women at high risk of HIV 30 days, but Abbott is encouraging patients to infection. UNAIDS noted that 23 microbicides keep the product refrigerated. are now in testing for use against AIDS. ~ ""},k@!):$ ~ In The Affirmative © July 1999 from Bald Man Publishing for The AIDS Project. Portland, ME Page Five HIV News HIV News Just So You Know..• Senate Approves Health Care for Disabled New York Study Finds Gay Men Using Safer Mark Your Calendars! New York Times (06/17/99) Sex New York Times (06/28/99) The Senate passed the Work Incentives A survey by New York City officials and Improvement Act in a vote of 99 to 0. The bill, Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) last year The Women's Leadership which garnered bipartisan support, discour­ indicates that homosexual men in New York Luncheon ages discrimination against people with City are significantly cutting back on risky disabilities in the workplace and gives sexual behavior. The study involved 7,650 gay to benefit The AIDS Project America's 8 million disabled individuals and bisexual men between the ages of 12 and will be held on incentive to take higher paying jobs. Provisions 88 in New York City. About one in seven Thursday, October 7, 1999. in the bill include allowing people who return to participants were HIV-positive, compared to work to keep their Medicare coverage; enabling studies showing one infection in three in 1985. people with disabilities to buy Medicare In addition, about nine out of 10 participants coverage if their income would have previously reported having been tested for HIV, with eight The 14th Annual disqualified them; allowing people who would in 10 saying that they had been tested at some · fi L ;£. A A • have lost Medicare coverage due to improved time during the three years preceding the study. S,prmg or i.,e rt uctlon health to pay to maintain coverage; and letting The study found that men over 60 and under 24 to benefit The AIDS Project states provide Medicaid coverage to people were less likely to have been tested. Also, will be held on with physical or mental conditions that are according to the NYC AIDS prevention planning Saturday, March 25, 2000. "reasonably expected" to become severe if no group, use of condoms for first anal intercourse ~------~ health care is available, such as people with HIV increased to about 78 percent compared to 34 who have not yet developed symptoms. Indeed, percent in 1985. While investigators say the AIDS Action's Daniel Zingale lauded the study indicates that prevention is working, they Just So You Know... measure as "a huge victory for people with HIV." also note that more efforts must be made to extend the message to non-white gay men. It has come to our attention that No Gay Man Deemed Fi~to Give Blood Black and Hispanic homosexual men were · b ·t c HIV ·t· Washington Post (07/06/99) found less likely to engage in risk reduction th ere is a we si e 1or -posi ive behaviors. As a result, GMHC officials are more heterosexuals. The site is spons~red Debate continues to rage in the United aggressively targeting minorities with by the New England Hetero Society. States over whether men who have sex with prevention efforts. The site provides information and men should be able to contribute to the nation's online support groups for heterosex- blood supply. U.S. blood banks have been Many U.S. Teens Unaware of HIV Risk uals with HIV and AIDS. It came to asking men whether they have had sex with Reuters (06/24/99) our attention while attending an HIV men since 1985; however, current research educational session with AIDS shows that gay men are no longer the group A report by the Kaiser Family Foundation Response to the Seacoast in wi~~thefastest-growingnumber_ofHIVca~es. indicates that American teens are well aware of . t h Critics say that the blood donation quest1on­ HIV prevention, but some still engage in risky P rt th fr 1 O o smou an d . om a c ien w naire stigmatizes homosexuals and encourages behavior. The study was a product of focus had heard ofthe site. donors to lie, as well as sending the wrong groups and interviews with teens at risk in four message to the public about HIV risk groups. urban areas. The report also noted that if To access the site, go to: Due to new screening techniques, the nation's teenagers are in a youth-friendly, respectful blood supply is safer than ever, with an situation, and a confidential HIV testing option www.hetero.net estimated one in 600,000 to one in 1 million is offered, the majority would accept. units of donated blood that is HIV-infected and (Editor's Note: I have no first avoids detection. The government remains hand knowledge of this site, and I concerned . about . HIV-_tain~ed blood being Next Issue caution anyone going anywhere on d~nated wh1I~ the virus 1s st1I! un~etec~able._To the internet to be careful about this ~nd, a five-year exclusion a~ 1s being r . ,I'. t. considered for men who have sex with men. If revea ing persona1 inJorma ion, the exclusion policy is adopted, it would such as your name, address, phone increase much-needed blood donations by number, etc. The internet is still about 58,000; but it would also increase the largely unregulated and users number of tainted blood units that have to be should proceed with extreme detectedinlabsfrom1,000to2,200. caution.) Mid-September 1 999

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&,Page Six In The Affirmative July 1999 from Bald Man Publishing for The AIDS Project, Portland, ME © Viaticals: Warnings to Investors, AIDS Update Caution to Sellers AIDS Cases Since Reporting Began

Editor's Note: Viaticals came ofage during the height ofthe AIDS epidemic. For many years, it Total U.S. AIDS Cases was not uncommon to hear ofpeople with AIDS in Maine selling their life insurance policies to viatical companies for quick and needed cash. The following articles look at the business from the (thru 12/98): 688,200. investors point of view. What these articles don't point out is that sellers are increasingly getting a Deaths: 410,800. smaller return on their policies as sellers live longer.

Viatical settlements are as safe an investment as a Savings Bond or a certificate of deposit. That's Total Maine AIDS Cases been the pitch some viatical firms have used to snag investors, regulators say. But the investments can (thru 3/99): 853. be fraught with risks, regulators and consumer advocates warn. Viatical (from the Latin word viaticum for "provisions for a journey") settlements are supposed Deaths: 466. to work like this: Terminally ill patients sell their life insurance policies to viatical settlement firms in exchange for a portion of the death benefit in cash. Patients often use the cash for medical expenses Maine AIDS Cases by Gender not covered by insurance or for other living expenses. The viatical settlement firms, in turn, sell the patients' policies or portions ofthe policies to investors at a discount to the death benefit. Male: 763 (90%). The popularity ofviatical settlements soared in the 1980s with the rise of AIDS cases. Now, the Female: 90 (10%). use of protease inhibitors is extending the lives of AIDS patients. Because of that, investors today are often misled about how long plicyholders can expectto live, regulators say. Gloria Grening Wolk, author of Viatical Settlements: An Investor's Guide and operator of a AIDS Cases Diagnosed in Maine consumer webiste (www.viatical-expert.net) says states need to come up with regulations for viatical in 1999: 5. settlements. She says that would also help differentiate legitimate firms from frauds. >Potential investors, regulators say, should be aware that: AIDS Cases Reported in Maine >Life insurance companies may contest death benefit payments on policies less than two years in 1999: 13. old for a variety ofreasons. (Includes cases diagnosed before I 999, but >Medical advancements may substantially prolong the life of the insured. The advent of the notreportedtill 1999.) AIDS "cocktail drugs" is an example. Investments in viatical settlements are highly illiquid. There is no established secondary market. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners is preparing a pamphlet to be distributed Maine AIDS Cases by Region later this year with tips for consumers about buying viaticals. -USA Today, 6/99 Northern Maine: 136 (16%). Selling viatical settlement contracts to Maine investors is now subject to state security law. Central Maine: 270 (32%). Governor Angus King signed a bill, which was written and advocated by the Maine Securities Southern Maine: 447 (52%). Division, in May. A viatical settlement contract is an investment in the life insurance policy of a terminally ill person. The terminally ill persons sells the policy for cash and then the investor or investors collect the death benefit when the person dies. Maine AIDS Cases by Race The investments, largely unregulated in the United States, have become increasingly popular Native American: 1%. over the past few years. Some companies are now expanding the concept beyond people with terminal illnesses and are purchasing life insurance policies from the elderly. Nationwide, various states Asian/Pacific: <1 %. regulators are looking to clamp down on the industry, but Maine is the first to enact such a law. Hispanic: 3%. Christine Bruenn, state securities administrator, said her department has seen increasing Black: 3%. evidence of fraud and a lack of disclosure regarding risks. Viatical contracts have often been pitched as a guaranteed investment. White:93%. The new law requires that people selling viatical settlement contracts to investors must disclose that it is impossible to predict the actual death date of a terminally ill person, the possibility that the investor may have to pay additional money to cover premium costs, and the possibility that the policy Maine AIDS Exposure Categories may be contested. Child ofParent with AIDS: 1%. - Portland Press Herald, 5/99 Transfusion/Blood: 1%. Hemophilia/Coagulation: 3%. MSMandIDU:3%. IN THE AFFIRMATIVE Unidentified: 7%. In The Affirmative is a monthly newsletter published by The AIDS Project for people IDU: 11%. living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Letters, articles, or other submissions should MSM:66%. be sent to: In The Affirmative, c/o The AIDS Project, P.O. Box 5305, Portland, ME 04101, or call (207) 774-6877. Submissions can be printed anonymously as long as Statistics are from the Maine the person submitting the material includes his or her name and phone number for Quarterly AIDS Update from the verification. Maine Bureau of Health, HIV/STD News, information, and features are as up-to-date as possible prior to publication. Program in Augusta. Any medical information included in this newsletter is submitted for the reader's information only, to be used as the reader so chooses. r-,.,,,, ''¥Mf:Mf~" Page Seven ' In The Affirmative © July 1999 from Bald Man Publishing for The AIDS Project Portland, ME - SUPPORT GROUPS FOR PEOPLE INFECTED AND AFFECTED BY HIV/AIDS TUESDAYS Time: 10:30 a.m. to noon Group: HIV Infected/Affected Drop-In Support Group A meeting for people living with and affected by the virus. Location: Portland, TAP. The Meeting Room, Suite 632. ContactTAP at 774-6877 for more info. to benefit THURSDAYS The AIDS Project Time: 10:00 a.m. to 11 :30 a.m. Group: HIV Infected/Affected Drop-in Group A TAP-sponsored meeting for people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS in southern Maine. The Ille-Kosutic Duo will be performing a concert, Location: Sanford, Unitarian Church, located at the corner of "Music & Literature: Literary Inspirations" to benefit The Main St. (Rte. 109) and Lebanon St. (Rte. 202). AIDS Project. The concert will be Friday, August 20, Contact Denise Ferer at TAP at 985-8199 for more info. 1999 at the First Parish Unitarian Church on Congress Time: 12 noon Group: Open Lunch for TAP Clients/Staff Street in Portland. The performers, flutist Nina Ille and An informal luncheon gathering of TAP staff and clients. pianist David Kosutic, first collaborated as students at the Location: Portland, TAP. Conference Room. Indiana University School of Music where they worked Contact Daniel Schnorbus atTAP at 774-6877 for info. extensively with noted chamber coaches Rotslav Dubinsky Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Group: People Living with HIV/AIDS and Luba Edlina of the Borodin Trio. The AIDS Project is A drop-in support group for anyone with HIV/ AIDS. honored to be chosen as the benficiary ofthis concert! Location: Portland, TAP. The Meeting Room, Suite 632. Tickets ($10, $25, $50, $75, $100 donations) may be Contact TAP at 774-6877 for more info. purchased on the night of the event at the First Parish CLIENT SERVICES Church. Tickets are also available through "Immediate MEDICAL ASSISTANT FUNDS Seating" at The AIDS Project. Anyone interested in volun­ An important reminder to clients : teering to help with this event, please contact Demetra There are funds available to TAP clients with financial need Giatas at TAP (77 4-6877). for the following items: Routine Dental Care, Routine Eye Care and Eyeglasses, Vitamin Supplements, Non­ Prescription Skin Care Products, and Non-Medicaid For more HIV infol'mation, try checking out these websites. Medication Co-pays. There is a dollar limit to how much a client can receive in any fiscal year. Contact your case manager for assistance. www.thebody.com WELLNESS AND YOU PROGRAM www.hivpositive.com A stress reduction and physical activity program www.projinf.org designed for people living with HIV/AIDS. In this program www.aidsproject.org individuals can participate in a variety of supervised physical activity, education, and specialized stress management segments. Contact Daniel at TAP at 774- 6877 for more information. TAP's York County_Clittnts Can Access The Internet IMMEDIATE SEATING For free tickets to area events as they become available, sign up for "Immediate Seating." Call Daniel at TAP at 774- York County Clients of TAP can use the computer at its Kennebunk office to 6877 for more information. access the internet. Call Denise Ferer at 985-8199 to set up a time to use the THE MEETING ROOM computer. This room is used by TAP in Portland for support groups, counseling and testing, and some client/case manager meetings. Located in Suite 632, it provides more privacy for Also, clients can now e-mail TAP's Kennebunk office at: people served by TAP. Enter from the High Street side of the building. [email protected] I.V LEAGUE Meetings of the I.V. League support group are held on FOR YOUR INFORMATION Thursdays from 10:00 to 11 :30 a.m. at First Parish Church Al DS HOTLINES TAP ON·LINE at 425 Congress St. in Portland. (Use the right side entrance Questions about HIV/AIDS? Visit our new website at: www.aidsproject.org and ring the bell.) This group is for IV Drug Users past and Call toll-free To e-mail The AIDS Project, present. National AIDS Hotline: send your message along to : For more information, call Steve Farrell at 874-8775. 1-800-342-2437 [email protected] (Portland! Maine AIDSline : or [email protected] (Kennebunk) ~ 1-800-851-2437 ~'~~ge_E_i_g_h_t______m_~_e_A_ffl_rm_a_ w_e_©_J_u~-1-99_9_fro_m_B_a_M_M_a_nP_u_~-~h_m_g_ro_,~_e_A_W_S_Pro_1_ect-,-Po-rt-m-nd-,-M-E ______